I can't make my mind up about 'Tie Dye', do you like it?

@Marlorena, I am definitely not garden wizard @FrozeBudd_z3/4 ;) but I do have experience with a single "Tie Dye", one we have had for now about 10 years. There is so much to like about this particular clematis.

Here it is from 2020

And 5 years later on a different obelisk (8 feet tall):

I dunno, something about that white splash..

Here it is up close:

(When it is cloudy it shows quite blue, in the sunny condtions, more purple.)

But I am seriously thinking of replacing it. More often than not, nearing the end of blooming, stem after stem "gives up the ghost" and so one sees unsightly dead stems all the way through. I'm sure it isn't 'wilt' and it isn't rabbits and as this clematis is front and centre, well it bugs me enough that I may replace it.

But I hope you do decide to plant one @Marlorena.

@rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)

Hi rouge, thanks for the photos, looks lovely in your garden but I know most things do actually, remembering from old..

It looks spectacular on your obelisk, with the various shades of green as backdrop, - grows very tall doesn't it.. shame you're having 2nd thoughts but I know what you mean. I'm still not sold on it myself, and yeah, it is those splashy white markings.. Maybe if I saw it in a garden here I might think differently, but not so far and I usually like quirky plants. The dead stems would also put me off. Seen that a lot this year though with the drought in England. Some of mine look terrible that would normally be in full flower now.

I bought 'Huldine' this Spring and my first flowers will be opening soon. Excited about that.

Great to speak to you again..

I bought 'Huldine' this Spring

Funny you mention this as I was musing about Huldine as a possible replacement but I think it would eventually swamp an 8 foot obelisk?

(Thanks @Marlorena)

Marlorena, ohhh, I had 'Star of India' in front me last spring, I stood there attempting to untangle the interwoven vines and got frustrated and walked away to meander among other plants ... definitely regret such after seeing your 'Star of India' ... well, that nursey isn't too far off, maybe I'll stop in on Tuesday!

Yes, 'Fairy Dust' is unique, a very light lavender grey with dark stamens, a color that some would understandably bypass as being too pale, though there's an ethereal beauty about it, not a top ten favorite of mine, though having something that draws and keeps my eye. 'Princess Diana' was the opposite for me, a rather restrained compact grower, but 'Duchess of Albany' grew in leaps! 'Perle d'Azur', yes please, I hope the one plant will remain healthy, a color so pleasing on a plant of such vigor!

Oh, I forgot to post of 'Pernille', a beauty, though is missing its companion 'Perle d'Aure'

Tie Dye', seems mine isn't as splashy as most photos on the internet, I set it in a not so prominent location for not exactly being sure of my feelings, I admire the thing, though am not in love.

Marlorena, I'm always enthralled with your gardens and the tapestry you've painted for yourself! I know you as well love garden phlox, so here's a few photos.

'Rainbow Dancer'

An an assortment of varieties

Rouge, very good to see you have popped on by, the forum is not the same without you, of course you know many have inquired of you! :)

@FrozeBudd_z3/4

...thanks, and yes you need 'Star of India'.. get in there... I'm glad you are not in love with 'Tie Dye' as that makes me feel a whole lot better.

I wish I had got 'Pernille' now, I bought the similar 'Asao' instead, and it's not done well for me at all. I might replace as I can't get 'Fairy Dust' unfortunately.

Phlox are gorgeous, I have some pink ones too, but my best this year are the whites, namely 'Rembrandt' and 'Mt Fuji'.. maybe due to shady site, not dried out so much.

@rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)

.. re 'Huldine, no I don't think it would be suitable as I'm finding out. This 'Huldine' is another rampant type, it's grown 10-12 feet from the spring planting already, despite pinching out the growing tips.. I planted it 5 feet from an arch aiming in a different direction, but it wanted none of that and made a bee line straight for the arch, which it's now climbed.. I suppose on the obelisk you could let it all hang out there, but I've a feeling it will end up on the ground as well.. I'm thinking 15 feet for this one..

..speak soon guys..

Actually chaps, I haven't quite finished.. meant to show this one.. 'Prince William'.. I thought this must be good but I'm really disappointed and won't be recommending it to anyone.. It's fairly new here.

The flowers are small, don't open out fully and soon disintegrate leaving just the stamens. It's a good grower but it doesn't stand out for me. Soon to be gone I think.

I did my greenhouse search and no 'Star of India' to be found, hopefully next year, though won't hold my breath. 'Romantika' is so covered with mildew and color so dark and unwelcoming for the front door entrance that it just has to go.

'Pernille' has quickly climbed to the top of my favorites, in only its second summer and very vigorous and heavy flowering, just too bad 'Perle d'Azur' decided not to stick around to keep it company. Now, though to find 'Pernille' another companion and am considering 'Duchess of Cornwall' might be the one, it certainly is rather vigorous beyond the stated 5 or 6 ft height.

Thanks for the heads up about 'Prince William', I was intrigued though shall pass if ever it become available. 'Princess Kate' is now just flowering years after having received the most puny tiny bareroot with a big price tag attached, bloom is truly beautiful!

'Comtesse de Bouchaud' is favorite of many, too pale for my liking, though its sport 'Barbara Harrington' (shown) and the very similar 'Remembrance' are upliftingly bright.

'Huldine', yes, is rampant vigorous, almost course, I honestly did not care for it and removed it from the garden.

I'm over my head here since I have tried and failed many times to grow clematis, but I have just listened to my 'a way to garden' podcast and a lovely Ukrainian woman talked about clematis, in case it's of interest :

https://awaytogarden.com/talking-clematis-with-alla-olkhovska/

@lat62

That was really interesting, thank you. All credit to her for gardening in a war zone and she has so many lovely clematis, unusual types.

FrozeBudd

'Barbara Harrington' is exceedingly bright indeed, you couldn't miss that one.

'Princess Kate' is one to keep, I should have got that one instead.

Oh Clematis gurus, I have been reading this thread for a few years and thinking about these lovely vines. I’ve been considering planting them along my 5’ chain link fence.

Is there a reason NOT to do this?

I’m thinking they don’t get woody (like my Lonicera sempervirens), and could be cut back each spring if I buy type 3?

I would appreciate any advice you might want to give.

@indianagardengirl

Hello... Yes I think gr. 3 types are the best as they tend to be easier generally, and you can cut them down even to ground level in early Spring but some of them can be rampant and grow very quickly. I'm in England so I have no idea about your growing conditions but chain link fences are usually very suitable for clematis as it gives them something easy to cling to. They don't usually mind which aspect either, but on such a fence, it could happen that a lot of the flowers are on the other side, if it's your neighbours, i.e. not your viewing side. Just something to consider.

I like herbaceous types as well, and they are treated like gr. 3.

Lat62, thank you for that, I had read an indepth article regarding this lady and have friend that has ordered seeds from her, she though has not replied to his recent messages, I just hope all is okay considering the terrible circumstance of war, seems man will never learn nor shall he hold the earth's environment in high regard, it's always of profit and power!

I was only a kid in early teenage years when leaning that large flowered clematis can survive and even thrive in zone 3, well especially so when being planted along the foundation of one's house. Set deeper and provided with winter protection, (though, I don't always get around to doing so) they can manage fine out in the garden, just too bad wilt is an issue with some types.

Marlorena, 'Princess Kate' is a gem, opening a slightly uninspiring buttery cream color with subdued pinkish mauve reverse, that cream then lightens to a lovely cottony white with a faint pink blush cast as the underside then intensifies, dark stamens creating a dramatic effect, could not get much prettier, so glad I planted it out front of my window!

Indianagardengirl, Marlorena has covered the matter well regarding the chain link fencing, and yes, the important consideration of orientation of fencing, the sunny side is where the flowers will want to direct themselves, a good thing to keep in mind! Also, I shall add that clematis love a good deep and loose root run, the better the soil the more outstanding the results ... poor soils, hard clay or hardpan not being to their liking.

One more to round out the season, 'Ashva' ...

Can't resist, here's 'Ashva' as of today ... sure is attractive!

Am confident no one could venture correct guess upon the below one ... it's 'Ville de Lyon' ... no, not a seedling, the small plant is badly mildewed, yellowed and tuckered out end of the season that sometimes those last blooms depart from the norm ... though, shall hold a tiny bit of hope for it being a sport that again shows next year, can only hope! :)

Skies are filled with choking smoke that burns the throat ... thankfully, this summer hasn't yet been so bad in that regard, but the last half decade has been a yearly occurrence and I honestly hold very little hope of what the future is to bring. Looking back upon all my years, it was a rare occurrence to experience smoke filled skies, now is the norm! :(

Since I was in the big city today, thought I might as well go the extra distance and head off wayyyy to the northeast to one of my favorite nurseries. As I walked about the place, heck there it was, the true 'Jackmanii Superba', thought best to snap up two of them!

'Pernille' just never stops, I believe this is it's forth wave of bloom, would have been heavy continuous in flower had I only provided it with an additional drink here and there, the color is very striking! Oh, it has set a number of seeds I'll later collect and attempt to grow.

For those wondering of the difference between 'Jackmanii Surperba' (left) and 'Jackmanii' (to the right) ...

Pernille is beautiful!! I hope Phoenix Perennials will sell it again in 2026!

Mazerolm, yes, 'Pernille' is a good and vigorous one, have had a few hundred blooms in this the second year and growing to 7 or 8 ft. I hope as well to see Phoenix Perennials carry other new and interesting varieties, I especially prefer the taller growing types over shorter growers. Are the 'Emilia Plater' beginning to establish among your wild cherry trees?

Emilia Plater: I wish, but I didn’t receive the correct clematis. Two of them turned out to be purpurea plena and the other one is a large light pink flower. I was very disappointed this year when I realized I did not have any Emilia Plater. I ordered some more from Wildwood, and I think this time I got the right ones.

Those mislabeled clematis were received from Wildwood as well, or? My disappointment being that from Phoenix I was sent 'Giselle' rather than 'Josephine', don't get me wrong, I'm pleased with 'Giselle', though 'Josephine' is a bit extra special and flowers rather freely upon new wood, yes even when cut right back to near the ground, here's to hoping to get a hold of it in '26.

Yes, the mislabeled ones were from Wildwood. But they’re the only ones who sold Emilia Plater and Blue Boy at such a great price. That’s why I ordered from them again. The ones planted this year all bloomed, so at least this time they were labeled correctly. That’s too bad for your Giselle/Josephine. Will you order Josephine again?

I've been fortunate so far with plants being true from Wildwood .... I did let Phoenix know of the mislabeled 'Josephine', though had not request a refund and shall try again with statement of hoping to obtain the real deal!

Pernille' has quickly climbed to the top of my favorites, in only its second summer and very vigorous and heavy flowering,

Clematis has got to be the genus with some of the most species/varieties. It seems to me that almost all the varieties of clematis that one sees at brick and mortar nurseries is Proven Winners and Raymond Evison offerings. And so, for example, it may only be practical to say obtain Pernille through an on line purchase.

Yes, Proven Winners and Raymond Evison have their limited range of offerings, as well Evison tends to focus on compact growers suitable for containers, whereas I prefer taller more vigorous types, not that he doesn't have a few of those in his collection ... 'Reflections' and 'Duchess of Cornwall are not just glorious, but vigorous as well. Yes, we must appreciate places such as Phoenix Perennials that bring in some choice newer introductions from around the globe, 'Pernille' is something else!

At first glance "Phoenix Perennials" is the only Canadian site making any reference to "Pernille". Crazy expensive shipping to my location :(.

(@FrozeBudd_z3/4, looking at some descriptions of "Pernille" it would seem that it wouldnt be able to survive your winter/spring ie z5...do you take extra care with it in the Fall re protection?)

Rouge, thankfully, many clematis are apparently hardier than stated. I do though plant all of the large flowered types with a good 3 inches of stem below ground. As the ground begins to freeze in late autumn, I cut down them down and heap over with a good deal of dry grass and leaf clippings, clematis planted snug up near the cement foundation of my home do not get this protection applied for the heat that transfers through the foundation wall. You're certainly correct, postage has become more than a bit outrageous these days, sometimes can easily add an additional $80.00 to my order! :(

The last of the season and a very lovely clematis it is, 'Duchess of Cornwall' (Camilla? ... eeek!, lol), a lovely rosy mauvy blue upon first opening and turning a "royal" blue as it ages, camera did not capture that latter shade very well though. This clematis is stated to grow to 4 or 5 ft, though is already to 6 ft first year within its pot, I bet when established can easily grow to 8 + ft, something I'm actually hoping for!

Just have a very small potted 'Warsaw Nike' to wait upon the first bloom, hurry up!

FrozeBudd, I planted Duchess of Cornwall and the rabbits ate her up! LOL. My sister and I joke around that she would never, ever plant, a Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall clematis - never! Unfortunately, for me, I tried growing the Princess Diana clematis and she just doesn't make it through our harsh winters.

Bellarosa ... I wasn't aware of Camilla having held title of Duchess of Cornwall for the little attention I pay to the Royal Family, it was only later I realized I had purchased a Camilla clematis, LOL.

For years, I was unable to bring myself to buy namesake clematis 'Prince Charles', but hearing such glowing reports, I finally caved and it's honestly the masses of light blue blooms, vigor and a good bit of height to it make it rather outstanding! Then, one day I held 'Princess Diana' to it and well, the unthinkable, you couldn't get a more beautiful pairing up! Unfortunately, I no longer have either clematis, 'Princess Diana' was slow to establish and bulk up, but when it finally did, heck the following year it just up and perished. Last spring I planted another and the foliage became all badly spotted up and again it was lost, I love this clematis and guess will keep trying, maybe in another location, next to Camilla? LOL.

I planted Duchess of Cornwall and the rabbits ate her up

@bellarosa, it is not unusual for our clematis to be eaten down during the spring/summer :( . When I remember and am not lazy I do protect the bottom foot or so with chicken wire.

FrozeBudd, Don't you dare plant Camilla next to Diana clematis. LOL

Same here - I never paid much attention to the Royal titles and drama, although I did love and admired Diana. Yes, 'Prince Charles' and 'Diana' clematis look great together. As for the 'Duchess of Cornwall' clematis, well, once I found out who it was named after, I sorta didn't mind the bunnies eating her up! LOL.

Rouge, I do normally add chicken wire around my new clemmies, but this 'Duchess of Cornwall' is going to have to tough it out! The roots should be fine and hopefully, next year, she will rebound..

'Reflections' is rather a ethereal beauty!

Thankfully, 'Princess Diana' is readily available and I'll try yet again for the third time! Whereas, I haven't seen 'Prince Charles' offered within Canada for a long time, too bad as it's a top performer!

Bellarosa, did 'Duchess of Cornwall' at least do some resprouting after having been eaten down by the bunnies? I'm afraid a young plant often does not have the resilience of reserves to enable rebound as do more established plants. Spring of '24, I planted a 'Perle d'Azur', had been two plugs within the pot, this spring both had wilted after having grown 4 o 4 5 ft tall, one resprouted before again wilting, later I checked to find nothing left remaining of the stems or roots.

Hi FrozeBudd, yes, DOC is still alive. I thought she was a goner for sure! I might try growing 'Princess Diana' again next as I remember that the blooms were quite beautiful. I'll make sure to plant them far apart..lol

Bellarosa, I haven't yet decided upon placement for the "Duchess of Cornwall", gosh I really am tempted to misspell that name, LOL.. Today, was rather pleasant so took advantage to get a few clems planted up, the fewer in pots over the winter the better! Also, I see my go to Canadian listing is up and running for '26, though nothing much new offered, but still will snap up another 'Princess Diana' and three or four others I've had in the past and lost, I do tend to kill many plants, though as well some clematis just have that annoying habit of wilting and outright dying from it, so discouraging on expensive hard to come by plants!

Hey FrozeBudd, no worries on misspelling DOC - LOL! I will definitely look to plant another "Princess Diana" clemmie somewhere in my garden. I remember that her flowers were just beautiful - more so than DOC! LOL

@FrozeBudd_z3/4 your thread, 5 years old and still active as heck.

Rouge, as we continue to obtain newer varieties, I hope folks wish to share photos and experience. BC based Phoenix Perennials brings in many newer releases, though mostly of Evison's compact selections, whereas I have preference for taller sorts .... thankfully, ones such as 'Reflections' have the vigor I seek. I'm hoping to get a few germinations from open pollinated seeds collected this autumn. Next summer, I might again attempt a bit of clematis breeding, is exciting to have one's own clematis selections, really not difficult to obtain beautiful and unique results!

This is a great thread @FrozeBudd_z3/4....I get the excited when I receive an email indicatiing there is a new post :).

Hey, clematis lovers! My local Costco just brought in their ’root bags’, mostly things I wasn't interested in, but I did pick up a bag with 4 large roots of Westerplatte for $14.99 - I will pot them up for a few weeks and then plant outside. Here’s to spring!

Okay, revisiting this thread ... 'Diamantina' produced a few early and rather stunning blooms. Is "suppose to" as well bloom double on new wood, though for now pushing plenty of growth with no signs of new bud development.

'The Vagabond' first blooms are huge and flowers freely for a type 2, is compact growing.

'Romantika' ... last year I was disappointed in two ways with this clematis, first its placement that did little other than make it look like a big black blob next to my front door, I guess they don't say to set it against a light colored background for no reason! Also, is prone to mildew for which it badly succumb later in the season. I have a second plant that made me regain its admiration, those blooms are just so smooth dark and velvety!!

The very beautiful and delicate looking 'Reflections', hopefully it gains a good bit more vigor, everyone comments on this cutie!

The color of 'Barbara Harrington' is stunning, a sport of 'Comtesse de Bouchaud' that just glows and grabs the attention from afar! I like it so much that this year I ordered up another that I snugged up with 'Perle d'Azur'.

Ohhh, and I did obtain the real McCoy 'Josephine', a smallish plant, though putting on new growth and I "think" I spy some buds beginning to develop.

My Romantika here against a light backround.

Sheila, thank you for sharing, your 'Romantika' and roses are wonderful, do you have a substantial clematis collection? I'm certainly happy with the placement of my second plant set against the lighter color of the house where it displays well and hangs down over a pink arborescence hydrangea.

I really enjoy clematis, FrozeBudd. I have several doing well.

Sheila, please post if you could of your other clematis varieties! :)

'Venosa Violacea' and 'Rain Dance' ...

'Super Nova' showing a bit overly color saturated here, but close enough, is very similiar to 'Venosa Violacea', though with notable differences of septal reflexing and ruffling, my favorite between them keeps bouncing back and forth!

Would anyone hazard a guess what the top 3-5 are among the responses? i cant keep track .

Would anyone hazard a guess what the top 3-5 are among the responses?

No idea as the permutations and combinations are too many :)

'Venosa Violacea' with 'Rain Dance'

'Viva Polonia' , this year again I had not properly supported the thing, color is especially VIBRANT this cool and very wet summer!

'The Vagabond'

'Pernille'

I don't know if I could ever pick just three favorites, never mind five, maybe ten, lol ... but, here's what I'd chose if had to "limit" my collection, I do tend to prefer taller growing types, though are exceptions ...

'Perle d'Azur'

'Ville de Lyon'

'Jackmanii Superba'

'Venosa Violacea'

'Barbara Harrington', such intense coloring!

'Blue Light', an amazing and rather free flowering double.

'Kiri Te Kanawa', another free flowering double.

'Princess Kate'

'Princess Diana'

'Prince Charles', sadly, I no longer have this lovely clematis.

'Romantika', gorgeous, though is mildew prone.

'Reflections', very unique!

'Super Nova'

'Arabella' ... oh, gosh and so many more of the integrifolia types such as 'Heather Herschell' and 'Pamiat Serdtsa' ...

Then there's my wish list of varieties I have yet been unable to obtain in Canada!

@FrozeBudd_z3/4, I have special interest in your "Viva Polonia" as you know I have one. Yours is way more robust/fuller than mine but I do love the colour. How tall is that one right now?

(Great post 'FrozeBudd'; thank for taking the time to put it all together)

Rouge, I hadn't listed 'Viva Polonia' within my top favorites, but certainly is one I'd replace in a flash if ever I were to lose the thing, blooms are just sooo intensely colored and large! I just went out and attempted to get an accurate height considering the vine has fallen over itself, but would come to about 4.5 ft ... am thinking might add another or two around the place for this one holding up so well in full sun.

I believe the below is 'Vancouver Purple Tide', had been purchased as 'Vancouver Blue Lion', I already have 'Blue Lion' and it's been producing double blooms upon new growth.

'Tie Dye', I'm still not overly sure about this one, isn't a favorite.

Comparison between 'Comtesse de Bouchaud' and its red sport 'Barbara Harrington', the color of 'BH' vibrant glowing with depth enhanced by a sight purplish cast to petal edges., is also rather very fade resistant. This clematis looks amazing planted with shrubs of yellow foliage! Can only plant one clematis? ... then, I'd suggest 'BH' !!

And again, the very beautiful 'Perle d'Azur' ... admittedly it's a bit more mauve than captured here.

'Josephine'

'Comtesse de Bouchaud'.... another mislabelled plant, was suppose to be its sport 'Barbara Harrington' ... but, am pleased with it just the same. I had 'Comtesse' long in the past and it being the most blah pale near white thing that I had removed it, now though am liking this! :)